The water regulator Ofwat has initiated enforcement cases against four additional water and wastewater companies in England and Wales as part of its ongoing investigation into how these companies manage their wastewater treatment facilities and networks.
Ofwat has served formal notices on Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Severn Trent, and United Utilities, requiring them to provide evidence for the investigation.
This action follows Ofwat’s detailed analysis of the companies’ environmental performance data and information on the frequency of storm overflow incidents, which has heightened the regulator’s concerns about potential failures to fulfill their obligations to protect the environment and minimize pollution.
With the addition of these four new cases, Ofwat now has enforcement activities underway against all 11 water and wastewater companies in the region regarding the operation of their wastewater businesses.
Previous enforcement cases were announced in 2022 for Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, South West Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water, and Yorkshire Water, with extensive investigations still ongoing. Southern Water also remains subject to enforcement monitoring following a previous case in 2019.
While Ofwat has identified concerns that warrant investigation, the opening of an enforcement case does not automatically imply that the company has breached its legal obligations. Ofwat will publish its findings and any proposed remedial actions once the investigations are complete.
David Black, Ofwat Chief Executive, said: “The fact that Ofwat now has enforcement cases with all 11 of the wastewater companies in England and Wales demonstrates how concerned we are about the sector’s environmental performance. Where we find that companies have breached their obligations, we will continue to act – over recent years, we have imposed penalties and payments of over £300 million on water and wastewater companies.
“This is the largest and most complex investigation Ofwat has undertaken. However, Ofwat is committed to concluding these cases as quickly as possible, so that the sector can focus on delivering the £88bn expenditure PR24 will unlock to deliver cleaner rivers and seas. As part of this package of investment £10bn is ear marked to tackle storm overflows with a target to reduce spills from storm overflows by 44%.
Severn Trent has recently announced an ambitious programme to significantly reduce use of storm overflow which Ofwat welcomes. The investigation will consider both current and past performance and reflect on the steps companies are now taking in deciding if and what action is needed.
Source :Ofwat
